New York Times endorses Clinton, McCain

The New York Times has endorsed Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain for their party's nominations to contest the US presidential in November.

In selecting Senator Clinton, the influential newspaper's editorial board said her experience gave her an advantage over her chief rival in the Democratic race, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, though on the major issues they were not that different.

"Hearing her talk about the presidency, her policies and answers for America's big problems, we are hugely impressed by the depth of her knowledge, by the force of her intellect and by the breadth of, yes, her experience," the newspaper said.

"As Democrats look ahead to the primaries in the biggest states on February 5, The Times's editorial board strongly recommends that they select Hillary Clinton as their nominee for the 2008 presidential election."

Senator Clinton is embroiled in tight nomination battle with Senator Obama, who would be the first African American president if elected. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards has been running in third place.

In backing Senator McCain, The Times's editorial board said it had strong disagreements with all the Republicans running for president, but among them, the Arizona senator was an easy choice.

"Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe," the newspaper said.

"With a record of working across the aisle to develop sound bipartisan legislation, he would offer a choice to a broader range of Americans than the rest of the Republican field."

The Times said Senator McCain has shown he has the character to stand on principle, that he was an early advocate for battling global warming and that he was one of the first prominent Republicans to point out how badly the war in Iraq was being managed.